Brisbane's Ryan Blackwood spars with Cairns' Edwin McBride in the Open Men's Epee. Organisers estimate more than 4500 competitors took part in the games this year in 41 sports including dance sports, shooting, blo-karting, martial arts and athletics (ABC : Nathalie Fernbach )

Cynthia McLennan competing for the Townsville Darts Association's Knights. North Queensland Sports Foundation president Margaret Cochrane says the games were intended to be a forum for "grass roots athletes" to have the chance to participate in competition. (ABC : Nathalie Fernbach )

Pro Open Women's BMX athletes at the medal presentations. Riders as young as four years old took part. "And they are over the moon to think that they are actually going to be competing for a medal, it is just amazing to see these little kids standing on the podium when you put a medal around their necks," said Ms Cochrane. (ABC : Nathalie Fernbach )

Cairns Hoopsnakes' Adam Howarth cops defence from The Rockhampton Rockwheelers' Keegan McCluskey. Ms Cochrane says the whole north Queensland region will have benefited from the event. "All areas do benefit economically from people coming and staying and spending their money," she said. (ABC : Nathalie Fernbach )

The North Queensland Games are the largest regional multi-event sporting games in Australia. They are held biennially and are hosted in rotation by Townsville, Mackay and Cairns. "The ultimate thing is making friends and competing against friends," said Ms Cochrane. (supplied : Sean Chun Tie Photography )